Dave, you are absolutely right (and Dr. V is, unfortunately, wrong). There is nothing that prevents you from storing your programs in folders, you’ve made yourself. You can even have sub-folders withing these folders if you wish. I have made a number of folders, named after type. I have even numbered them (1. Audio, 2. Graphics, etc) so that I can be sure that they stay first, no matter what type of “View” (Icon, List, etc.) I select.
The only reason that all installers install in the Applications folder, is that it has become an unspoken “standard”. Some installers let you choose where you install your program, but it’s actually easier to move them manually, than mess with the installer.
Oh, by the way, I keep the “eLicenser Control Center” in the “Applications” folder. I don’t know if this is necessary, but… just to be safe.
I have yet to come across a program that wouldn’t work after having been moved (provided the whole install, including support-files, is moved in one go). If you do, throw it away. Then it’s a piece of badly programmed junk, that shouldn’t be trusted! NOTE! This only applies to programs. Other stuff, such as drivers, VST plug-in, etc. has specific places where they should be kept.
Actually. The VST plug-ins are. a bit of a, special case. On a Windows PC they can be kept. just about, anywhere. On the Mac, however, they must be kept at: Library/Audio/Plug-in/VST. There is, however, nothing that preventa you from making sub-folders in the “VST” folder. I have made sub-folders, that corresponds with the ones Steinberg use in Cubase (The VST plug-in that comes with Cubase are stored in the Cubase file, which is actually a package.) This gives me tidy and organized menus when selecting effects and instruments in Cubase. If you do not keep your VST plug-in organized in sub-folders, you will very soon end up with loooooooong menus in Cubase.
A!: No
If you keep your Cubase program in a folder of your own making, you’ll need to put it back in the Applications folder in order to update it. This is dead easy though.
- Open the folder where you keep your copy of Cubase.
- open the “Applications” folder in a new window.
- Drag the “Cubase” file to the “Applications” window (folder).
- Run the update installer.
- Put the “Cubase” file back to where you want it.
Voila! There you have it. An updated Cubase, residing in a tidy and organized folder structure, that is easy to reach.
A2: As far as I can see, there are no cons, just pros. Keeping your programs in an organized folder structure, that is “locked” to the top of the window, makes them much easier to find, than having to search an endless “Application” window, by scrolling and scrolling and scrolling…
As for Dr. V’s reference to the “Launch Pad”. The “Lanch Pad” is an even bigger mess than the “Applications” folder. It has the same drawback. It is littered with stuff that you hardly ever, or never, use. Here’s a much tidier way to gain access to your programs.
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Make a new folder wherever you like (I keep mine in the “Applications”, just so that I know where it is.) and name it whatever you like. If you have lots of programs, you can make sub-folders aswell.
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Create aliases of all the programs you use (don’t forget programs for your soundcard, etc) and put them in this folder.
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Drag this folder to the Dock and place it wherever you like (I keep mine next to the trashcan).
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Now, click an hold on the folder in the dock. And select from the Options sub-menu the following: Sort by name, Display as Folder and View content as List.
There you have it. Instead of a Launch Pad, cluttering up you whole screen, you have a tidy hierarchical menu with just the stuff you want to have access to, right there in the Dock. Fast and easy access!
As a matter of fact, I have made a second folder, in the Dock, that points to other document folders i want to reach fast. One thing about the User/“Username”/Documents folder. Despite it’s name, this is a very bad place to store your documents! The reason being that lots of programs to store their own files. Pretty soon, you’ll have a very hard time finding your documents.
A much better idea is to create another folder somewhere, where you keep your own documents. Now, drag this folder to the Dock and place it beside your folder with your applications (with the same Options settings as above), and there you are. Quick and easy access to all of your documents, right there in the Doc. And…(drumroll)… if you save a new document to your, selfmade, document folder, it will automatically show up in your Dock menu.
I hope that this has clarified at least some of your questions.
